It Started Over 12 Months Ago
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Merchandise Transport, Ltd., first applied to the Metropolitan Licensing Authority on February 5, 1960, when they asked to vary their existing A licence by the addition of 112 Luton (furniture) vans and seven articulated units, which were then operating under a C licence held by Harris Lebus, Ltd. They wanted a further seven Luton vans added to the licence, "to be acquired." The normal user sought was, in the case of the artics., "Timber within 50 miles," and in the case of the vans, "Mainly new furniture, any distance; and on return goods suitable for carriage in Luton vans."
At the subsequent public inquiry the Licensing Authority granted the application for the seven artics., but refused to authorize the use of any of the vans.
Merchandise Transport appealed against this decision, and the appeal was heard in November last year when the Transport Tribunal set aside the Licensing Authority's decision, and remitted the matter back to him to decide quantum and unladen weights.
Before he could do so, however, the Road Haulage Association successfully applied to the Transport Tribunal for a stay of execution pending an appeal to the High Court. This appeal is expected to be heard in the near future.